Miner s squib



(No Model.)

J. R. POWELL.

MmERs SQUIB.

Patented Sept. 15, 1885.

WITJVESSES his Attorneys,

UNITED' y STATES JOHN R. POWELL, OFPLYMOUTH, PENNSYLVANIA.

MINERSSQUIB.V

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 326,239, c'ated September 15, 1885.

` Application med Jun- 1o. isst. m0 model i .To aZZ whom, it may concern..-

Be it known that I, JOHNR. lPownim, a citizen of the United States, residing at Plymouthin the county o'f Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania, `have invented anew'and useful Improvement in Miners Squibs, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to miners squibs; and it has for lits object to provide an improv'ed mode of scaling the rear end of the paper tube or straw shell, whereby further provision will be made for safety in the use of the squib, dampness will not affect the seal, and the manufacture of the squib simplified and attended with less labor. l

lVith these ends in view, the said invention consists in sealing the ,rear end of the paper tube or shell with a small quantity of powder, which, being mixed with oil-varnish, gold or gilders oil-size, or the like, will be caused to adhere to the interior of the tube or shell in such a manner as to leave small openings between the several grains of powder to allow` the admission of air'to the interior of the tube, and yet form acompact mass which willprevent the escape of the powder filling, all as hereinafter set fortli,and particularly pointed out i'n the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a squib sealed at its rear end in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 is a view illustrating my invention applied toa loose squib without a match. l

`Like letters` are used to designate corresponding parts in the several gures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the body of the squib, which in the present in- Y stance is constructed of paper, wound spirally.

into a cylindrical or tubular 'form to contain the powder filling. At the front end of the squib-tube isinserted one end of themat'ch B.

To retain the powder filling C within the squib-tube, I employ an improved method of sealing the rearend thereof, proceeding as follows: I take' oil-varnish or the like and mix it thoroughly with a desired amount of powder, until thesurface of the grains is coated with the varnish,- which will cause the tube, and thus form a sealing mass.

grains to adhere together. While the powder mixture is in this moist state a small quantity is pressed through the open rear end of the tube or shell, the latter having been previously filled with the 'powder charge. This, powder mixture will be caused to adhere to the interior ofthe tube or shell, and since the grains of powder also adhere together, it will be seenthat the open rear end of the tube or shell is p ermanentl y closed by a compactmass,

so as to prevent the escape ofthe powder fill-` ing. XVhenthepowder mixture becomes dry, it forms a compact mass; but since the grains of powder are irregular in form, small ogenings or spaces will be left between themass to allow air to enter the tube. Thescsmall open-4 ings providcd between the grains of powder are shown more clearly in the enlarged sectional view, Fig. 3, the irregular form of .011e grain abutting against the irregular form of a second grain and adhering thereto. The small openings or spaces provided through the sealing mass at theV rear end of the squib-tube also allows the flame tio have free communica tion with the blasting'charge on the explosion of the squib.

I have stated that I use oil-varnish to mix l with the powder to form thesealing mass; but I may employ spirit-varnish, gold .or gilders oil-size. -The latter is compounded from boiled oil, thickened with yellowl ochre or calcined red ochre, and reduced to the' i properv thick ness by grinding.` I may also use a mixture of shellac and alcohol,and therefore do notwish to be limited to any particular ingredient or ingredients to cause the powd'ergrains toadhere together and also to the squib` ever,Iprefer to employ a composition of which HOW oil forms an ingredient, so that the sealing mass,when formed,willbeimpervious to moist-` ure and resist t-he action or effect of dampness. Such compositions will not dissolve the powder, but will merely coat the outer surface'tofthe grains and effect the close adherenceof the latter to form the sealing masa.; 'It will therefore be understood that any com?" f position of'ingredients which will cause thel grains of powder to adhere together and yet IOO not` dissolve the powder may be employed and eiect the end -in view. i

I 'mass is firmly secured together, and will sucouta match attached as i'n the other figures, having its rear end scaled in the manner be cessfully resist all tendency to separate. Since the seal is made of powder, the miner will immediately see that-the rear end will successfully explode the charge of powder within' the drill-hole without cutting oli' the end.

The spaces or openings through the sealing.

mass will be left at the time thatthe seal is applied, so that when the mass is dry thesquib will be in condition for' use.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a loose squibfwithfore described, and the front end closed or sealed with Burgundy pitch, resin, or other suitable ingredients. n

Having described my invention, I claim'- 1. The combination, with the sqnibtnbe, l'of the herein-described seal formed of grains of powder held in a compact mass within the tube by the addition of suitable adhesive substance, openings or. spaces being left between the grains of powder forming the mass and the, side of the tube, as set forth.

2. The. miners straw or paper squib, in combination with the herein described seal formed by a mixture of powder and oilvar ,nish, gilders oil-size, or other suitable composition which will not dissolve the powder, but hold it in a compact mass and cause it'to adhere to the interior of the sqnib-tube, as "set forth.

3. The combination, with the tube or shell, of the herein-described seal formed of a mixture of powder and a suitable composition mass and cause the latter to adhere to the interior of the squib-tubc, as set foith.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own- I have hereto afixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. JOHN R. POWELL. Witnesses: EDWARD G. SIGGERs,

WM. N. Moons.

which will hold the grains of powder in a 

